Herts vet restored to RCVS Register

Please note
This is an archived news story.

The Disciplinary Committee of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons this week [5 January 2010] directed that Ms Judith Kay be restored to the RCVS Register, having previously struck her off for being unfit to practise.

Ms Judith Kay was removed from the Register in January 2007, following her multiple convictions for drink-driving offences, driving disqualification and four-month imprisonment.

She had first applied to be restored to the Register in January 2008, but the Committee had felt that Ms Kay still did not appreciate the severity of her addiction, which remained much in evidence, and rejected her application. She had also continued to practise whilst off the Register – a serious matter.

This, her second application for restoration, was first considered by the Committee in July last year, when judgement was suspended pending the Committee’s satisfaction with a range of third-party corroborated evidence to support Miss Kay’s progress in addressing her addiction. This included the results of random blood tests, attendance at AA meetings, regular contact with the Veterinary Surgeons Health Support Programme (VSHSP), a suitable continuing professional development (CPD) programme and mentorship from an experienced veterinary surgeon such that she would be equipped to return to practise with a proper understanding of the requirements and demands of managing a veterinary practice in current market conditions. The Committee did accept at that point that Ms Kay appreciated the seriousness of the original findings.

At the resumed hearing this week, the Committee was satisfied that Ms Kay had complied with the undertakings designed to ensure progress towards rehabilitation. They heard evidence in person from Ms Kay, and a fellow member of AA, as well as Mr O’Connor, National Co-ordinator of the VSHSP, and saw documentary evidence which included blood test results from Ms Kay’s GP, her CPD records, a business plan for her proposed new practice and diary extracts.

In considering whether Ms Kay was now fit to resume practising as a veterinary surgeon, the Committee took into account her acceptance of the findings of the original enquiry and the seriousness of those findings. It also considered the protection of the public, future animal welfare (should Ms Kay’s name be restored to the Register), the length of time which she had been off the Register, her conduct since her removal, her efforts to keep her knowledge up to date, the impact on her of having her name removed and the public support for her restoration.

Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Mrs Alison Bruce, said: “The Committee was very encouraged to note Ms Kay’s positive attitude to CPD and her realisation that she needed to make genuine efforts to experience modern practice before attempting to work alone. Her intention to work initially as a locum in a multi-vet practice strikes the Committee as being a very sensible course of action.

“The Committee would like to commend Ms Kay on the efforts she has made and the considerable progress that she has achieved since the adjournment.

“The Committee is satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that Ms Kay is now a fit person to have her name restored to the Register of Veterinary Surgeons.”

For more information please contact:

Lizzie Lockett / 020 7202 0725 / [email protected]

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK and deals with issues of professional misconduct, maintaining the register of veterinary surgeons eligible to practise in the UK and assuring standards of veterinary education.

2. RCVS disciplinary powers are exercised through the Preliminary Investigation and Disciplinary Committees, established in accordance with Schedule 2 to the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 (the 1966 Act). The RCVS has authority to deal with three types of case:

a) Fraudulent registration

b) Criminal convictions

c) Allegations of disgraceful professional conduct

3. The Disciplinary Committee is a constituted judicial tribunal under the 1966 Act and follows rules of evidence similar to those used in a court of law.

4. The burden of proving an allegation falls upon the RCVS, and the RCVS must prove to the standard that the Committee is sure.

5. A respondent veterinary surgeon may appeal a Disciplinary Committee decision to the Privy Council within 28 days of the date of the decision. If no appeal is received, the Committee’s judgment takes effect after this period.

6. Further information, including the original Inquiry into Miss Kay, her first application for restoration and the Committee’s decision on her second and successful application, can be found at www.rcvs.org.uk/disciplinary.